Manipulating Self-Avatar Body Dimensions in Virtual Worlds to Complement an Internet-Delivered Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight Women

Abstract

Virtual reality has been found to be a useful tool for positively influencing relevant psychological variables in order to increase physical activity (PA), especially in the overweight population. This study investigates the use of avatars and their physical variations to extend the effectiveness of existing interventions to promote PA. The main objective is to analyze the influence of the avatars’ body dimensions on the efficacy of an Internet intervention to increase PA levels and improve other relevant variables (motivation toward PA, enjoyment, anxiety, self-efficacy, and PA goals). A total of 42 overweight women received a brief online intervention, and they were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: the “Ideal avatar” (IAC: participants are represented by avatars with ideal body dimensions); the “Real avatar” (RAC: participants are represented by avatars with participants’ current body dimensions); and the “Non avatar” (NAC: participants are not represented by avatars). Results showed that the online intervention was effective in increasing PA practice and self-efficacy expectations. However, manipulating the body dimensions of avatars did not improve this intervention, although ideal avatars helped to reduce the anxiety experienced during PA in this population.

The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interventions on Smoking, Nutrition, Alcohol, Physical Activity and/or Obesity Risk Factors: A Systematic Review

“…Of the 26 studies included, 5 assessed smoking cessation or reduction in smoking cigarettes [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], 12 solely focused on physical activity [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], 6 examined obesity and weight [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ], 1 study examined both physical activity and obesity/weight-based outcomes [ 49 ], 1 study looked at nutrition in conjunction with obesity/weight outcomes [ 50 ], and 1 study focussed on obesity/weight, nutrition, and physical activity outcomes [ 51 ]. No studies studied the effectiveness of VR on alcohol consumption.…”

“…Twelve studies analysed the effectiveness of VR on increasing levels of PA [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. These studies were conducted in the Netherlands [ 34 , 36 ], Taiwan [ 32 , 33 ], Turkey [ 35 , 40 ], Spain [ 37 , 41 ], USA [ 38 ], Egypt [ 31 ], Switzerland [ 42 ] and the UK [ 39 ] ( Supplementary Table S2 ).…”

“…In these studies with clinical populations, participants were recruited via the clinic or hospital they were attending [ 32 , 35 , 36 , 42 ], referred by physicians [ 33 ], mailed or handed an invitation letter [ 39 ], and using newspaper advertisements and word of mouth [ 36 ] and three studies did not report recruitment methods [ 31 , 35 , 41 ]. There were four studies conducted with non-clinical populations [ 34 , 37 , 38 , 40 ]. The trials with non-clinical populations recruited participants via an internet panel of residents [ 34 ], in person presentations and flyers given to people who attend nutritional clinics or had dropped out of their gym [ 37 ], and a mailout sent to all students attending a vocational school [ 40 ] while one study did not report recruitment methods [ 38 ].…”

“…There were four studies conducted with non-clinical populations [ 34 , 37 , 38 , 40 ]. The trials with non-clinical populations recruited participants via an internet panel of residents [ 34 ], in person presentations and flyers given to people who attend nutritional clinics or had dropped out of their gym [ 37 ], and a mailout sent to all students attending a vocational school [ 40 ] while one study did not report recruitment methods [ 38 ]. Across all the PA studies, sample sizes ranged from 20 [ 35 ] to 958 [ 34 ].…”

Peer Buddy or Expert? – On the Avatar Design of a Virtual Coach for Obesity Patients

“…The results revealed that observing how a virtual self model is running on a treadmill was more effective for increasing physical activity (in the real world) than observing a virtual other. However, the recent study by Navarro et al [34] discloses that using avatars with real body dimensions can elicit anxiety in overweight people that are often unsatisfied with their own body image (mean BMI of study group 28.7 kg/m 2 ). In contrast, the study by van Vugt et al [35] recommends the use of overweight avatars as virtual health advisors in general (mean of study group BMI 22 kg/m 2 ).…”